Category Archives: inspiration

31–“Mirror: For Jan Gerber” from “Frazzle”

Dusk at Chicago Botanic Garden by M D Mikus Copyright 2015

“You are the seed crystal
the often unsung hero,

the gatherer, the glue,
the creative spark,

the tranquil reflecting pool…”

From Poem 31, “ Mirror: For Jan Gerber,” in my book, Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine: Poems of Grace, Hope, and Healing. Listen here: https://youtu.be/4nL_goJyr-g

Does this sound like you or someone you know, the one always holding things together?

Background:
In 2000 I met Jan Gerber when she curated and coordinated “Women’s Journeys in Fiber,” the first in a series of “process projects” by a group of women artists based in Chicago. That year the group, reflecting on their spiritual journeys, created incredible and diverse mantles (long vests), beautifully displayed at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I was inspired to write the poem, “Mantles of Transformation,” which traveled with the exhibit and appeared in the book on the Mantles project.

When they decided to have a 10-year retrospective exhibit in 2010, Jan asked me to read it at the opening. I readily agreed. In the meantime I also wrote “Mirror: For Jan Gerber” about her. I read it as well (as a surprise). Here are my previous blog posts, including the poems.

For other poem videos in the “Frazzle” series

27–“You Can Ask” from “Frazzle”

Years ago I had the idea for a series of poem-videos. In 2014 I finally posted four short videos (one was a song). I got tangled in all “my stuff.” You know what I mean: not being good enough, or not quite the right time, or ongoing life challenges, or needing to be perfect, or fearful of looking foolish, etc. And nothing more happened until this December.

I had an “aha” moment and realized I needed to read these poems aloud to give myself a positive focus and possibly also help others. My book, Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine, was meant to be “a lifeboat through hard times,” among other things. I knew from long experience that reading aloud was the most powerful way to deliver these poems. And so, 27 days ago, I began: starting at poem 1 and reading a poem a day (in chronological order).

“… No longer need to please
anyone but myself…”

From poem 27, “You Can Ask,” in my book, Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine: Poems of Grace, Hope, and Healing. Listen to the entire poem here: https://youtu.be/Vnc6ZyPUFGY

What holds you back from doing something helpful? Can you take one step?

For more poem videos from “Frazzle”

26–“Burning the Candle at Both Ends” from “Frazzle”

I suspect I’m not the only one with this recurring challenge: not just too little rest, but too much action, insufficient recharging stillness and reviving solitude. I forget that I love to sing…just for myself. I forget to breathe deeply, to laugh even.

“I am running out of candle
to burn at both ends

toward the ever-diminishing middle….”

Poem 26, “Burning the Candle at Both Ends” from my book, Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine: Poems of Grace, Hope, and Healing. Listen here: https://youtu.be/0afvI8xIVOY

What is your biggest self-care challenge?

For more poem videos from “Frazzle”

25–“Plea for Tolerance” from “Frazzle”

The costumes or masks we wear may hide or may reveal something about our true natures: How much more we have in common than we are different.

“…So many stories, voices longing
to be heard, lives to be witnessed,
searching for meaning, satisfaction, happiness…
just like all of us.”

Poem 25, “Plea for Tolerance” from Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine: Poems of Grace, Hope, and Healing. Listen here: https://youtu.be/O3cC9Jhz7CU

For more poem videos from “Frazzle”

24–“Melting” from “Frazzle”

Datura Unopened, Copyright 2008 by MD Mikus,

From “Melting,” from my book, Thrown Again into the Frazzle Machine: Poems of Grace, Hope, and Healing.

“…This puddle of you,
this chrysalis,
this butterfly in the making,

in transition,
that familiar rough patch
neither here nor there….”

 

Although I wrote this poem in 2009, under quite different circumstances, I am again in that place right now. You?

Listen here to poem 24: https://youtu.be/ahlWyKgPyi4

For more poem videos from “Frazzle”